Watchmaker&#39;s hand clamping tool



Aug. 30, 1949. I o. A. BETTLJMv v 2,480,696

WATCHMAKERS HAND CLAMBING TOOL Filed Nov. l5', 1947 IN VEN TOR.

Patented Aug. 30, 1949 UNITED STAT Es PAriz'lSJT o FFI CE y 2,480,696 l l y WA'rcnMAKERs HAND cLAMPING Toor.

Oscar A. Bettum, Washington, D. C." Application November-13, 1947, serial No. 785,759

This invention relates toa watchmakers com-'- bination tool or clamp,

The invention is more particularly concerned with a tool in the `form of a combination watch parts supporting, positioning and clamping device wherein practically all of the cooperating parts of a watch may be dis-assembled, repaired and assembled.

In the watch repairing art, it is highly important that the parts, and particularly the smaller lscia-Tins. (cien-s), r Y

and more delicate parts be kept from contact with the workmans hands and it is equally important that the parts be supported or rigidly held in a position wherein they are clearly visible for operation thereon:

It is accordingly a primary object of this 1nvention to provide a watchmakers tool for the support and retention of the various watch parts whereby they are clearly visible and are retained for operation thereon without being ltouched by the hands of a workman.

A further object of the invention is to provide a Watchmakers tool embodying supporting and positioning means for individual watch parts, and a yieldable clamp for retaining any of such parts in its supported position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a watchrnakers tool embodying a support for different watch parts, a clamp plate for engaging any one of several parts, spring means for yieldably urging the clamp plate against the part, and the spring means including a pin extending through the clamp plate andadapted to yieldably engage a part supported beneath the plate or to extend into an aperture thereinrto aid in. maintaining the part in position Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the course ofthe following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved on a substantially enlarged scale. Y

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan View of the device. Fig. 3 is a top plan view showing av balance wheel being supported thereby.

Fig. 4 is a broken fragmental plane view, partially in section,Y to show the clamping plate actuating spring mounting which urges the forward Work engaging and securing edge portion of the clamping plate toward the work supporting and positioning surface of the base plate,

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the device. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section in the plane of line 6-6 on Fig. 3.

device, and which with Figs. 2 to 7 inclusiveis Fig. 7 is a rear elevational View. A Fig. 8 isa top .plan view showing the device as" of'actual size andthe ligure bearing indicia to indicate some of the many uses ofthe device. Fig.v9 is a transverse sectional View taken ,on line 9-9 of Fig. 4, tovfurther showthe combination clamping, positioning and securing actioniof forward edge and corner portions of the clamping plate and adjacent perforated and longitudinal edge ,orv shoulder portionsof the base plate on-a watch part to be worked upon. v

Referring -now in detail tothe drawing,V I0 designates a base plate which is constructed from relatively heavy sheetmaterial, such as brass-or other suitablemetal ornon-metal; v y

The base is of generally ,elongated'rectangular form and is provided .with frontvsuppo'rtinglegs Il and rear supporting.,legs l2, and which-,legs are preferably bent `from the material forming the base as is illustrated. ,Y Y f The base .is further provided with a supporting leg 1|3 intermediate the front and rear legs `Il and I2 and suchleg is preferably bent d own from the base at `therearedge Vlof: av relatively Vlarge opening I4 which functions in a manner later set forth. i Y ,fl f Y. -K l, The base platelll is providedpadjacent its front end with a relatively large aperture l5, a some,a what smaller aperture |16, alpair of similar and. still smaller apertures l1 'and'l anda very .small aperture I9.. The vbase platev is further provided with a Arelatively large aperture 2.0 adjacent its rear endv and a pairvof laterally alined aperturesA 2l adjacent its `:front end.-

The -base plate is provided with a pair of laterally `alined* lugs 22 which are rigid with the plate and receive the opposite ends of a vpivot pin- 23 which also extends through a pair of lugs 24'rigid with and depending VAfrom a clamp plate 25 and the lugs 24 are disposed between and adjacent tothe lugs 22-as is more clearly indicated in Fig. 7. `l.

The clamp plate 25 which is formed from relatively light gauge sheet material .is of a width substantially equal to that of the baseplate and.

providedpwith Va-straigljlt front 'edge extending normal to the side` edges or Aslfioulders'lll and is. preferably provided with an upwardly curved rear endas'illustrated for substantial conformity with a -nger used for depressing such end in the operation of the clamp. s

r.'I'he clamp plate is providedwitha pairof slotsZB and said clamp .plate is yieldably urged, with its fronty edge normallyengaged withV the base plate at a pointsubstantially rearwardly'of the front end of the base plate and adjacent the apertures I to I9, by means of a spring including relatively long leg portions 21 and 28 which extend from beneath the plate, through the slots 26 and thence downwardly through apertures in the plate adjacent the front edge thereof. The legs 21, 28 include terminal portions 21', 28' in the form of pins and which are the portions extending downwardly through the apertures-f inthe plete substantially normal thereto, and these pins normally extend into the apertures 2| in the base plate l0.

The leg portions 21 and 28 extend ascontinuations of coils 29 and 3|! respectively-andfwhich surround the pivot pin 23 intermediate.and.atl-`v `iacent the respective lugs 24 on the clamp plate.

The leg portions 21 and 218 project` from the Y edges or shoulders 32' fori a purpose later set forth. In Figs. 4 and 9, a watch part similar to thatshown on reverse side in Fig. l', isillustrated in positioned and, clamped condition upon the base plateI; with the bearing mounting held directly over the aperture i5 for removing or replacfngthe jewel and for setting the regulator hand on the arbor surrounding the bearing etc. In this viewit will be noted how the several tool parts i; e. the apertured base plate I0, having longitudinal side edges 32--32 support and direct watch parts which arevclamped and secured thereon by the forward edge and corner portions of the spring pressed clamping plate 25. i

The function of the variousco-operating parts as above described is in part indicated in Fig. 8 whereinit will be noted that the apertures I5 to f8 are for the purpose off receiving the hubs of different sizes of balance wheels in the operation of removing or adjusting the hair spring.

lZEhese apertures are thus of differentV sizes to accommodate different sizebalance wheels.

In Fig. 3a balance wheel W is shown supported in aperture I5 with theclamp plate 25 engaging a portion of the perimeter of the wheel;

The balance'wheel as here shown isY positioned and-held for assemblyL ofthe hair spring thereon and it will be seen that practically the entire wheel is visiblewhereby materially facilitating the delicate operation of assemblingthe hair spring.

Thepedges 32 and; shoulders 32' are for the purpose oi'supporting the balance wheel bridge, one for the right andthe other4 for the left as' indicated in Fig. 8;. Y

In Fig. 1 a bridge 3 is shown and wherein the l'iub.portion (more lciearlyshown in Fig. 6) engages a. shoulder 32'v whilea major portion of the bridgerests on the plate IIJ proper. j As indicated in Fig. l the pin orv endV portion 2"I,^"ofl the springextends intor an aperture in the bridge which together with the shoulder 32' main'- tains, the bridge in rigid -position laterally` of :the tool and thepressure, ofthe clamping plate 25 en the bridge retains itin such position.

Als'oesndicated, in. Eig.. .8..t1`1e forward Ledge 0i plate I0 retains any part of a watch for jewel set or repair.

The small aperture I9 as indicated in Fig. 8 is for the purpose of adjusting pallet spans and the relatively large aperture 20 is for the purpose of receiving the projecting side portion of the main spring casing for properly supporting same on the anvil surface of the base plate I0, relative to the rear clamping, edge of the pivoted thumb plate 25 in forceabl'y applying the Abarrel cover on the main spring casing. The various apertures and surfaces as above noted are so positioned and arranged with respect to clamping edge portion of the clamp plate 25 as to properly and rigidly support and. retain other Watch parts not herein specifically referred to.

In Fig. 5 is illustrated a bridge 3 wherein the spring urged pin 21' engages a surface thereof rather than enter an aperture therein as in Fig. 1 and such pin 21 together with the adjacent cooperating edge of the clamp plate 25 holds the bridge firmly in position forany operation thereon such as the mounting of the balance wheel.

In Fig. 6 a bridge 3 is shown wherein a portion thereof projects into the opening I4 in the base plate I0 and which opening is for the purpose of receiving projecting portions of watch parts when supported for a particular operation thereon.

It is to be noted that the basev plate I0 finds iirm support on the opposite end legs II and I2 together with the intermediate leg I 3 and that all of the watch parts supporting and locating elements are unitary with the base plate whereby the watch parts will always be accurately supported in the proper and desired position and since the clamp plate is pivotally connected to the base plate it Awill always cooperate with the supporting elements for easy and accurate operation on any of the many different watch parts.

As before stated the spring arms 2l and 28 yieldably urge therclarnpplate to a normal position wherein its front edge has line contact with the. base plate rearwardly of but adjacent to the apertures VI5 to I9 as well as the supporting edges 32 and shoulders 32. Furthermore', the spring arms 21- and 28 are individually yieldable independenti-y ofthe clamp plate.

With this arrangement, the clamp plate acts to retain parts in position through the yieldable arms: as is'indicated in connection with the balance-wheel in Fig. 3. Furthermore either of the springarms may exert its own pressure directly ori a part as in Fig. 5 while the other spring arm exerts its influence on the clamp plate and which therethrough is transferred to the said part for cooperative clamping action thereon.

Furthermore, the pin or terminal end portion ofone of the arms may act to hold a part against sidewise movement as in Fig. l while both arms exert their inuence on the clamp plate, and a part mayl be engaged by both terminal ends 21 28 in which event the plate 25 will have no bearing pressure thereon. l

The improved tool may be briefly summarized as comprising a plurality of watch parts supporting and positioning means, and clamp means cooperating therewith for the retention of any one ofthe many watch parts for most eiective operation thereon'- as 'may be required in the repair operation on a watch.

It is to beparticularlyv observed that the tool isqveryJ simple inconstruction whereby adapting it'ffor manufacture at relatively lowcost and that the clamp plate 25m cooperation' wit the base 7b the tool as disclosed is highlyeflicent in the sup-- port and retention of any watch part on which an operation is to be performed.

While I have disclosed my invention in accord-- ance with a single specific embodiment thereof, such is to be considered as illustrative only, and

not instructive, the scope of the invention beingv deiined in the subjoined claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by U. S. Letters Patent is:

1. A watchmakers tool comprising an elongated generally rectangular base plate provided With supporting legs, a generally rectangular clamp plate disposed above the base plate with its forward edge spaced inwardly from the corresponding edge of the base plate and of substantially the same width thereof, cooperating lugs rigid with said plates intermediate their ends and adjacent the opposite sides thereof, a pivot pin extending through said lugs providing a transverse pivotal connection between the plates, spring means operatively engaged with said plates for normally urging one end of the clamp plate into contact with the base plate in a line transverse thereof and in spaced relation to the front end thereof, and watch parts positioning and supporting means on said base plate between said contact line and said front end and from one edge to the other thereof and in operative association with both aligning side edges and the entire length of said one end of the clamping plate.

2. A tool according to claim 1 wherein said clamp plate is provided with a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal slots disposed intermediate said one end thereof and said pivot pin, an aperture in said clamp plate adjacent said one end at each side thereof in alinement with a respective one of said slots, said spring means including a pair of relatively long arms extending upwardly from said pivot pin, through said slots and including vertically disposed end portions extending downwardly through said apertures, and apertures in said base plate receiving said end portions in the normal position of the clamp plate.

3. A watchmakers tool comprising an elongated generally rectangular base plate, a generally rectangular clamp plate shorter than the base plate and of substantially the same width thereof,

said clamp plate being disposed above the base plate and pivotally connected thereto intermediate the ends of the plates, spring means supported above the base plate and including intermediate coil portions, a loop portion bearing on the base plate, and elongated arm portions operatively engaged with the clamp plate for urging one end thereof toward the base plate, and said arm portions including vertically disposed terminal pin portions vertically movable relative to the clamp plate and providing clamping members extending between the plates.

4. A watchmakers tool comprising an elongated generally rectangular base plate, a generally rectangular clamp plate shorter than the base plate and of substantially the same width thereof, said clamp plate being disposed above and spring pressed toward the base plate and pivotally connected thereto intermediate the ends of the plates, said clamp plate having a straight clamping edge extending normal to the side edges of the base plate and inwardly of the front edge of the base plate to provide a right angular clamping corner on the clamp plate adjacent each said side edge, and cooperating aligned watch parts engaging and positioning means in each said corner and the subjacent portions of the base plate.

5. A tool according to claim 4, together with watch parts positioning means on the base plate intermediate said side edges in operative association with portions of said clamping edge between the corners thereof.

OSCAR A. BETTUM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record ln the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 817,955 Brosius Apr. 17, 1906 821,396 Aune May 22', 1906 1,303,560 Jones May 13, 1919 1,507,799 Shea Sept. 9, 1924 1,549,129 Calame Aug. 11, 1925 1,857,968 Mahr May 10, 1932 

